Cooperativity in the stacking of benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide: The role of dispersion

► Cooperativity arises from threefold intermolecular hydrogen bonding. ► Dispersive interactions are important for stabilisation of the stacks. ► Non-linearity in different parameters of hydrogen bonding indicates cooperativity. ► Cooperativity is also reflected in the variation of dipole moment of the stack.